The Utah Historic Trails Consortium, a local organization that includes historic trails organizations and other organizations interested in preserving nationally significant historic trails, is concerned about the quick action taken by the Bureau of Land Management to lease large parcels of land in Utah's west desert. These parcels contain segments of the National Pony Express Trail and the important site of the Pony Express' Boyd Station, and the sale was approved without a public hearing or providing proper protection of the station site and trail.

The BLM has responded to concerns from the National Park Service and others to "trim" leases of parcels of land near several national parks in southern Utah ("BLM backs off drill leases near national parks," Tribune, Nov. 26, 2008). Our concerns are the same: that the lease of tracts of land in the west desert will threaten or maybe destroy this important national historic artifact.

The Pony Express Trail deserves the same protection, consideration and action from the BLM.

Craig Fuller ?Secretary, Utah Historic Trails Consortium

Salt Lake City